Dave Mason, Traffic co-founder, dies at 79

Dave Mason, co-founder of the British rock band Traffic, died at 79; his death was announced April 19, 2026. Mason wrote the song "Feelin' Alright," which Joe Cocker turned into a widely known rock standard. He also worked as a session musician with peers including Jimi Hendrix, playing acoustic 12-string guitar on Hendrix's 1968 recording of "All Along the Watchtower" for Electric Ladyland. Mason's solo albums such as Let It Flow and Alone Together, plus a COVID-era re-recording of "Feelin' Alright" featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael McDonald, and Mick Fleetwood, are likely to receive renewed attention.